BC Golf Senior Contributor Brad Ziemer recently spoke with Michelle Collens who has sat on the British Columbia Golf's board since 2013, the last two years as President...

By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf

LANGLEY, British Columbia — At times when a new business hits the street the entrepreneurs behind the scene find a shift in focus is necessary because they’re joining a somewhat crowded marketplace. Such was the case for brothers Jaime and Gordon Jarvis and their idea to join the golf accessory business.

Since they didn’t necessarily have anything to make their products stand out from competitors who had been in the business for several years, a shift was deemed necessary. So, in order to propel their line into high standing, they’ve come up with the idea of branding themselves better through apparel and in particular hats, with the newly-created BRDYZ brand.

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Nick Taylor Shown Teeing Off In A Vancouver Golf Tour Event 

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor is an equipment free agent.

Taylor, who has played TaylorMade clubs since turning pro in 2010, chose not to renew his longstanding deal and is trying out clubs from a variety of manufacturers.

“TaylorMade has been an amazing partner and were keen to continue to support Nick,” Taylor’s agent, Chris Armstrong of Wasserman Media, said in a telephone interview from Torrey Pines, where Taylor tied for 30th at the Farmers Insurance Open.

“I think for Nick it was about the opportunity for him in the first time in his career to answer some unanswered questions for himself about what the best set-up top to bottom for him is. There are some areas of his game he wasn’t quite fully satisfied with and he wanted to make sure he could answer the questions on equipment.”

Victoria's Jeevan Sihota Has His Eyes On Turning Pro This Spring - Image Credit: Bernard Brault/Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

When a field of about 120 players gather at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay in late April for the seventh and final PGA Tour Canada spring qualifying school, the youngest competitor figures to get lots of attention. Highly regarded Victoria junior Jeevan Sihota, who turns 18 in March, has entered Q-school and will turn pro if he plays well enough to earn his card.

Sihota’s dad, Jas, confirmed his son’s plans in an interview this past weekend. The family has spent considerable time weighing the options. Jeevan has been inundated with offers from several top universities to play collegiate golf south of the border.

Marine Drive's Brian Knoetze  - BKnoetze Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

All that stood in the way of Brian Knoetze completing his goal of playing the top 100 courses in the United States was one of the toughest tee times in golf.

In a journey that began eight years ago, the longtime Marine Drive Golf Club member had crossed 99 courses off Golf Digest’s top 100 list. All that remained was Augusta National.

Knoetze had spent a lot of time wondering whether he was ever going to make that trip down Magnolia Lane. It’s not like you can just call the club and ask for a tee time. If you’re a mere mortal, you need an invitation from an Augusta National member to play the course. “It’s just about the hardest place in the world to get on to,” Knoetze says.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

A new golf shop is about to open in Coquitlam, but there won’t be any equipment from the likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist or Ping lining its walls. 

Instead, the GreenTee Golf Shop, located on the Lougheed Highway not far from Ikea, will feature names like Honma, Majesty, Fujimoto, Miura and Itobori. Golf Town this is not.

“It’s only 2,500 square feet so it’s minimal if we compare it to Golf Town, but what we carry is actually very top tier,” says Bo Wu, who is director of JK World Group’s golf division. “We don’t carry any of the North American brands.”

Pagoda Ridge GC Is To Become Private After Being Purchased By New Owners - Pagoda GC Image

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

The new owners of Pagoda Ridge Golf Course have big plans that include a new name and an upscale clubhouse to serve members when the Langley facility goes private. For now, however, it’s business as usual at Pagoda, which changed hands last month when the Brown family -- the course’s original owners -- sold the facility to Coquitlam-based JK World Group.

Justin Kim, president and chief executive officer of JKWG, told British Columbia Golf that the course will remain open to the public for the next two years. Once the course goes private, it will operate as GreenTee Golf Club.

Adam Stanley/ Golf Canada

Golf continues to provide a record number of Canadians safe refuge during the COVID-19 global pandemic as a proven activity that benefits physical and mental health.

As we look ahead to 2022, there is comfort in knowing golf can continue to be a haven for safe gathering and fitness – for all.

And beyond just the ability to continue to play the game, the world of golf has given Canadians much to be excited about as we look ahead to a new year!

Courtesy Golf Canada

OAKVILLE – (Golf Canada) – Some golfers claim their favourite aspect of the game is recanting highlights (and maybe even some lowlights) with friends following a round of golf.

Now, members of Golf Canada and their respective provincial golf association who track their games with Golf Canada Score Centre can do just that… digitally.

Introducing Golf Canada #MyGolfYear – a retrospective of a member’s golf year generated by the scoring data posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre in 2021.

Courtesy Golf Canada

Calgary, AB – Canadian Pacific (CP) is proud to announce that fundraising efforts over the past two years for the CP Women’s Open (CPWO) have helped raise more than $2.8 million to support important equipment purchases and research at BC Children’s Hospital, along with an additional $557,000 for Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital.

“CP is honored to support BC Children’s Hospital in their critical efforts to improve cardiac care for children,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO.

Seven Sites, Including Courtenay, BC's Crowne Isle Resort, Will Host The PGA TOUR Canada's 2022 Qualifying Tournaments - Image Courtesy Golf Vancouver Island

FOR RELEASE: December 28, 2021

TORONTO—The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced December 28 it will hold 2022 Qualifying Tournaments at seven separate sites over a six-week period, beginning in mid-February and concluding in late-April at Courtenay, BC's Crowne Isle Resort.

While the global pandemic made it difficult for PGA TOUR Canada to conduct its season as it had since its 2013 inception, the Tour did play a series of eight tournaments for players living in Canada this past summer on top of a set of four events it held in 2020. The 2022 campaign will be the first full season in two years that features a complete complement of members.

Quesnel's Kathy Gook Is Back Home Again - File Photo

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Quesnel Golf Club has new local owners who have selected a familiar face to run the facility. Quesnel native Kathy Gook is returning home as general manager and director of golf. She was hired by new owners Joe Hart, Dennis England and Kit and Gary Collins. 

“I know the new owners very well,” said Gook, who has spent the past three years as director of golf at Bighorn Golf Course in Kamloops. “They are local people who have supported the community over the years in so many different areas and now they are doing the same with the golf course.”

Photo credit: Chuck Russell/Golf Canada

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association announced their 2021 Players of the Year this past week and Victoria, BC's Jeevan Sihota has been named the PNGA's Junior Boys Amateur Player of the year. 

Sihota earned the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Player of the Year award after a standout 2021 season. Competing against seasoned tour professionals, he finished runner-up at the Mackenzie Tour DC Bank Open, finished T6 at the Mackenzie Tour ATB Financial Classic, and finished T29 at the Mackenzie Tour Golf BC Championship.

He also finished T4 at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship and T23 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Victoria Now has further details on Jeevan's win HERE.

To see the complete story on all the PNGA Players of the Year click HERE.

Image Credit Chuck Russell/Golf Canada

Courtesy Golf Canada via R & A

(St. Andrews, Scotland) – New research figures revealed by The R&A and Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) show golf has enjoyed a significant increase in popularity worldwide since 2016 with over five-and-a-half million additional golfers taking up the sport.

The number of total golfers globally has increased from 61 million to 66.6 million in a five-year growth period, surpassing the previous high mark of 61.6 million set in 2012.

The measure includes club members and non-member independent golfers playing nine or 18 holes and users of driving ranges in markets where course availability is limited.

The Multimat™ Could Be A Real Game-Changer For Golf Courses And Golfers - Image Courtesy Multimat™

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

We are blessed in some parts of British Columbia to be able to play golf year-round. But let’s be honest about it, the courses we play on many of those dreary December and January days are often more than a little wet. 

Hands up everyone who hasn’t received a face full of mud after striking an iron a little fat off a soggy lie. The golf courses also take a beating during winter play as fairways become scarred with divots that won’t grow back.  Some Victoria-area courses have come up with a solution.

Cordova Bay and Olympic View are requiring players to play with specially designed mini mats on fairways. Players are guaranteed a perfect lie and the courses are saved the wear and tear of divots at a time of year when the grass doesn’t grow. It’s a win-win.

One of the longest running amateur golf tournaments in south Florida is being contested this week with many Canadians in the field.

Dating to 1924 in the Men’s Division, the Women’s tournament was added in 2002 and the event has grown to such a stature that it now attracts fields of players from around the world.

Both the men and women will play this week from December 16-19 with the men tackling Eagle Trace Golf Club and the women taking on Palm Aire Country Club.

The Charles Schwab Challenge Grant is providing a transformational opportunity to help First Tee – Canada deepen your impact by matching funds raised until the end of 2021!

First Tee is an internationally recognized grassroots life skill development program that builds character, instills life-enhancing values and promotes healthy choices for young people through the game of golf.

In 2021, Golf Canada launched three inaugural First Tee chapters in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Our goal is to have 5,000 participants in each of our launched chapters by the end of 2022 and add new chapters serving all provinces by the end of 2023.

Great news, this year your tax-deductible gift will be matched 1:2 ($1 is matched for every $2 raised) through the Charles Schwab Challenge Grant! With your support, we can help deliver exceptional life-skills programming through the game of golf.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Tobiano golfers will soon be able to do more than just admire the stunning views of Kamloops Lake during their rounds. They’ll have the opportunity after they play to hop in a boat to do a little cruising, water-skiing or wake-boarding, or perhaps head out on a jet ski, paddle-board or kayak. 

The golf course has purchased Bruker Marina, which is located on the Tobiano resort property, and general manager Terry Smith said the course plans to develop unique ‘Birdie, Boat and Barbecue’ packages where golf groups can play 18 holes in the morning, spend some time on the water in the afternoon and enjoy a meal afterward on the clubhouse patio.

The BC Amateur Sport Fund is raising funds to give amateur sports organizations the vital support they need to survive and rebuild in the aftermath of the recent floods in British Columbia.

You can designate your donation to a specific community, sport or club, or make a general donation which will go to the greatest need selected by Sport BC. You cannot donate to support a specific individual.

Your donation can help community sport organizations across the province with costs including rebuilding facilities and replacing equipment, rental of temporary facilities and travel costs.